References

• Adiga, Aravind. The White Tiger. HarperCollins Publishers, 2008.
• Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin. The Empire Writes Back. Routledge, 2002.
• Barry, Peter. Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. Manchester University Press, 2017.
• Guha, Ranajit. Selected Subaltern Studies. Oxford University Press, 1988.
• Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. Penguin Classics, 2002

ABSTRACT

Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger (2008) is a landmark novel in contemporary Indian English literature that offers a penetrating examination of social inequality, economic exploitation, and the pursuit of upward mobility in modern India. Set against the backdrop of globalization and rapid economic transformation, the novel narrates the remarkable journey of Balram Halwai, a poor village boy who rises from servitude to become a successful entrepreneur. Through Balram's life story, Adiga exposes the stark contrast between the privileged and the marginalized sections of society and critiques the socio-economic structures that perpetuate inequality. The novel explores the realities of poverty, corruption, class oppression, and the moral dilemmas associated with success in a capitalist society.

This paper investigates the themes of social mobility and class struggle in The White Tiger through Marxist and Subaltern perspectives. It examines how Balram's transformation from an impoverished servant to a wealthy businessman symbolizes the aspirations of India's underprivileged classes while also revealing the ethical costs of social advancement. The study further analyzes the significance of the symbols of the White Tiger and the Rooster Coop in illustrating the tension between individual ambition and systemic oppression. By employing satire, irony, and realism, Adiga presents a powerful critique of contemporary Indian society. The paper argues that while the novel celebrates individual determination and resilience, it simultaneously questions the social and moral conditions under which success is achieved. Ultimately, The White Tiger emerges as a significant literary text that highlights the complexities of freedom, identity, and social justice in twenty-first-century India.

Keywords: Aravind Adiga, Social Mobility, Class Struggle, Capitalism, Corruption, Subaltern Studies, Contemporary Indian Fiction.

References

• Adiga, Aravind. The White Tiger. HarperCollins Publishers, 2008.
• Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin. The Empire Writes Back. Routledge, 2002.
• Barry, Peter. Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. Manchester University Press, 2017.
• Guha, Ranajit. Selected Subaltern Studies. Oxford University Press, 1988.
• Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. Penguin Classics, 2002